Listening can be a true ‘mindful practice’ as we stretch to understand our part in deep listening. As an artist I routinely use my Paint Brush as the talking stick, when I am working to discern new understandings.  By following my brush, I have come to discover that I now listen with an open heart and an open mind as I allow myself to process. I listen with my belly as well.  I have heard these called the ‘Three Intelligences’. My painting process is known as Intentional Creativity!

At times I struggle with the inner critic as my mind tells the stories of the past or is anticipating the future. My body/belly often is caught up in the entanglement of emotions and feelings of the moment. My heart will connect me to that Universal knowledge, but sometimes that wisdom can be stuck in a personal attachment. None of this is good or bad, it just is information.  We all have stories, perceptions, desires and fears. Holding those thoughts without judgement is frequently the key. By using the process of Intentional Creativity, I can be present with all three, my intellect (mind), my emotions (body/belly) and my truth (heart). I commonly discern a new way of listening and taking action in the moment.

In working with these stories, feelings and wisdom, allowing them to surface and acknowledging each one in turn, their energy will change. The true awareness of the moment can surface. Sometimes it just is all a big jumble! WhaT? Where? WHY?  How…  Then is when I try to remember to breathe and grab the brush with an inquiry! I will begin an inner dialog.  If I am patient as the inner dialog continues, things begin to become clear or soften.  Often I will come up with simple questions to get to the core of what is being said/thought. Paying attention to the energy in your mind, belly and heart often allows the vibrations to change and makes it easer to acknowledge when the truth or solution arrises.  That Ah-ha moment comes through.

Signed in Red Thread and Chocolate!

Sepha

I invite you to join me for a weekend of deep listening with Intentional Creativity. Even if you have never picked up a brush, this painting adventure will create time and space for you to explore those things that have been calling to you.  Really feeling, sensing, and listening to your inner guidance. Saying ‘YES’ to what wants to happen in your life.

Finding the Divine Heart  Within...
   
A Two Day Intentional Creativity Painting Event!
           Saturday January 27  10am-5pm and Sunday January 28 10am-4pm
                            with a Welcome Evening with Red Thread on Friday January 26  6pm-9pm

Please find my EVENTS page under Intentional Creativity for more information...

Intentional Creativity is much more than just painting… The IC process is also about going within to listen to your deep inner wisdom. Through life experiences or ancestral DNA, we all hold a great well of information that we often can’t use, don’t acknowledge or just ignore.  When working through the 13 steps that I share, we find a new way to use our intuition and attention while using a brush and paints to bring the wisdom to our awareness.  Spending some time with a journal to make notes and ‘see what wants to happen’. Often times new fires are sparked!

I’ve just completed my painting ‘Rubi Embers’,  to prepare for the Creative Fires workshop coming soon. I usually spend time doing a 13 step Intentional Creativity process painting before each event. Every time I approach the canvas it is as if a new journey has begun. This painting started with the workshop, Creativity and Fire in my mind. A wash of fiery color was laid on the canvas. As I painted, my mind is allowed to wander into ‘the story’. Later I noticed several pairs of Lips on the canvas and knew exactly where my Muse was to be. The Dragon Horse started to appear in the story. This happens when you are willing to have a conversation and to listen to the evolving image on the canvas…

Many years ago I was founder and CEO of a not-for-profit, Special Horses for Special People, Therapeutic Riding Center.  When the shape began to evolve into a spirit horse.  I was reminded of the many life lessons I learned working with my ponies, and the people that came to play,… back in the day…  … and look at the painting, there! She left some lipstick on their back!  Thank you for reminding me of those old lessons and stories. Pony Kisses for you!…

Wielding my brush using my intuition and listening for more stories, soon I stop to journal…
I say “Rubi,  What say you?”   And as I imagine the story …She fans the embers, “What burns within you?  What is it, Within You, that Called to Me?  What is your inquiry today?” she replies with questions to me…

…  and my journey with Miss Rubi continues as I worked thru the steps.  

I look forward to sharing more and inviting you into the process on your own canvas with your own stories! To see about this workshop see my Intentional Creativity page under Events or click the button below!!

In Red Thread and Chocolate!

Sepha

Oh My!  I hung this huge canvases on the wall today at Currents Gallery!  What a magical journey it's been so far!  I am always amazed how when I put my intentions on something and ask for help, things always manage to manifest just right!  This wonderful canvas has been sponsored by our local Sherwin Williams Paint store as well as Merri Artist. Seven Red Thread Sisters spent an evening painting this community canvas earlier this month!  With finishing touches from my magic brushes, the tree is now ready for your leaf! Come to my Opening Reception!  Sat May 20, 2017  from 5-8pm  532 NE 3rd St. McMinnville OR

Meet Me at 'The Witness Tree
An Invitation to Engage in Collaborative Intentional Creativity®

Do you know about 'The Witness Tree' Project?  Look for my Witness Tree tab to learn more!

Spring has arrived!  Today I woke with the sunshine squinting thru the clouds. Shortly there after the rain began to drizzle.  With off and on showers all day, the sun broke out again in the afternoon with a warm healing breath that filled these old bones. Later the rain came back and then thunderstorms raged thru…  Yes, spring in Oregon!

Spring brings new beginnings. Blossoms swell, and rainbows shimmer above the land.  After a winter of cloistering deep within myself, I am ready to expand my perception of who I am and what I do in the world.  This old woman is ready for a make-over!

Often times we shove ourselves into boxes and molds that family and friends choose for us.  Expectations of others cage us and force us to bend into shapes that are unnatural for our souls.  As we get older we realize that we need to become our true selves. Many layers of the Onion have been pealed throughout our life and the wisdom gained has become a hard won prize. We can look out at others dramas and be filled with compassion as we understand the wild confusion of youth.

Do you remember what it was like to be in your 20’s?  What were your dreams? What were you experiencing? How did it feel? As Maiden can we go to the time of Crone? As a Crone can we go back to the energy of the Maiden? Yes!  Life is cycles and circles. We can return again and again to the time of Maiden, Mother and Crone.  As a young woman we can access the compassion and strength of the Mother or wisdom of maturity!  That is what Intentional Creativity is about! When we create with mindful questions and focused thoughts. We can delight in the new things and find a knowledge we have never known before.  We can enter the warm summer energy of Mother in our 80’s or we can find the autumn wisdom of the Crone in our 30’s.  There is magic in Intentional Creativity.

What qualities are you wanting to approach in your current life?  I am on a fresh journey, starting new things in my life, opening untried doors. Germinating a fresh spring start!  In my 60’s I am becoming Maiden again!  This time with the fresh ideas of youth, the sensitivity of middle age and the wisdom of life. I am on an Intentional pathway to my authentic self integrating Maiden, Mother and Crone within.

I will share with you how to gain your own access to the seasons of your life and to your own answers….  

Winter is the time of the year to go within and rest...  Great Mother Hen reminds me to Nest!
Exquisite self care is necessary for us in the Pacific Northwest in the winter time. Sleeping in with these longer nights is what our human bodies need to do. Keeping home clean and clear of energetic clutter this time of the year is important. Nurture, Nest and Rest to be ready to 'crack open' this spring!

With all that has happened late this year we are all ready for the next good thing to happen... I am reminded that we do create our own reality... What is it you are brooding over in your nest right now? Are you hatching a New Year of Joy and Healing?  Are you looking forward to Change???

In my winter nesting I am incubating new classes, workshops and paintings...  Please take time to look at the events tab and see what is coming up...  More changes and yummy offerings are in the works!

I'm excited to have my Contempory Symbolism work (M'Ladies) represented by Ten Oaks Gallery in McMinnville now!   http://tenoaksgallery.com/

I'm Fired-Up to be sharing my MUDD infatuation at Jack Potter Art Lounge,  with all you MudDogs that need to keep their fingers in the clay! Look for my classes on their website  http://jackpotterartlounge.com

May our Hearts be Wide Awake…
On the Edge of Our Freedom
Moment to Moment
Not Asleep to what is is Front of us
Brave enough to be Listening
on the Vast Rim of the Silence
Brave enough to be Listening to the Echoes
from across the Canyon…

Witness that That Is
On the Edge of Our Freedom
In This Moment
in This Arch of Time we find Ourselves
Witnessing Changes the Story
Quantum Universe brings what needs to Be
by How, Who, and Where we Witness
On the Edge of Our Freedoms…


Inspired by Shiloh and Shannon
Power Creatives TV
Freedom

I here by claim the title ‘Creative AlcheMistress’!  I am packing the art supplies owned by another ‘Company’ to be delivered on Sunday.  I claim back my Own Creative Spirit.  I inventory each item in the kit, memories and lessons from each event I performed.  Over the last year plus, I’ve had a wonderful adventure of playing in the paint with people from all over the Pacific NorthWest.   A special thank you to each and every one that I painted with!  I send you special love and blessings as I extend a Red Thread to you, if it is indeed your thread, may we meet again soon.  A new Adventure has begun!

If you are interested in Creative Play please look at the offerings on my website. If you have a thought on how to create a special event just for you and your tribe please contact me… I’m excited to create with you!

What if … every person gave themselves permission to be a creative soul.  To learn to explore with the joy of childhood. To watch for the sparks of their own soul fires…

What if …  We each experienced the wild passion of creating just for the shear joy of play.  We had a group of friends around us who loved to play together…

What if … We defined artists as those who love to bake or sew or dance or paint or sing or walk or write or even observe.  Each creative act in the world changed the ripples that move the universe…

What if … the making of our lives, with mindful thought, became something we created daily. We began to understand how things change as we bring our attention to them…

What if … By finding our places as a creative beings on this planet, we healed our souls…


What if…

A foray into Intentional Creativity...

Old World View:   I love to dream!  I have Lots of good Ideas and thoughts, but the ‘Ya Butts’ have kept me stagnate and unmoving. I can be closed minded and stubborn at times.  I have a great Fear of letting my spirit show and feeling safe….Bad choices in the past have shut my heart to intimate relationships and have actually have made me physically panic and run… ARG!  But what about other relationships? They have fared no better. FEAR causes me to close my heart. Fear of acceptance, Fear of showing who I am. My ‘Public Face’ has a thick bubble underneath….


My View is Changing: OMG! Since beginning this painting I’ve been processing STUFF!  Relationships are the current focus of my Query…  My Story Changes as I learn to love myself for who I am, and where I am today.  I am learning how to listen with different ears to the quiet voices. I cultivate Loving, Respectful. Right Relationships with myself and others. I Dance With My Tribe…


Dame Sel Heather says:  “Look at the patterns my Dear. Watch the Cycles, the Circles the Turning.  See what gets Done, Re-done and Undone. You DO Know. Listen deep inside, that gut feeling in your Soul. It’s Alchemy, Magik! Some things are hidden deep in the Cauldron… Covered? Buried? Discarded? They will continue to steep until it is the right time. Others are neatly folded and put away at the bottom of the trunk, like a Treasure, where they wither and decay… Look for the Juicy, the Raw, the Outrageous! Look for the Seeds, Nuts and Berries, that nourish and soothe the soul. Look in the Rocky Places, for stones and gems are found there! Do not turn aside the seeker. Invite her to walk beside you and share the Red Thread. Remember to tugg when you need to. We are all related! Your tribe will appear, among the patterns… Dance with Your Tribe!